U.S. patent application number 14/133794 was filed with the patent office on 2015-06-25 for flow drill screw.
This patent application is currently assigned to GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC. Invention is credited to Anthony A. Bosco.
Application Number | 20150176624 14/133794 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53275493 |
Filed Date | 2015-06-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150176624 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bosco; Anthony A. |
June 25, 2015 |
FLOW DRILL SCREW
Abstract
A flow drill screw can retain a structure and includes a shank
extending along a longitudinal axis. The shank includes a first
shank end and a second shank end opposite the first shank end. The
flow drill screw further includes a pointed tip coupled to the
first shank end. The pointed tip includes at least one facet. The
flow drill screw also includes a stud extending from the shank
along the longitudinal axis and away from the first shank end. The
stud includes a first stud end and a second stud end opposite the
first stud end. Further, the stud includes external threads between
the first and second stud ends. The flow drill screw includes an
annular flange coupled to the second shank end and the first stud
end. Moreover, the flow drill screw includes a head coupled to the
second stud end.
Inventors: |
Bosco; Anthony A.; (Macomb,
MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC |
Detroit |
MI |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS
LLC
Detroit
MI
|
Family ID: |
53275493 |
Appl. No.: |
14/133794 |
Filed: |
December 19, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
411/387.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16B 25/106 20130101;
F16B 25/0078 20130101; F16B 25/0057 20130101; F16B 25/0021
20130101 |
International
Class: |
F16B 25/10 20060101
F16B025/10; F16B 25/00 20060101 F16B025/00 |
Claims
1. A flow drill screw for retaining a structure, comprising: a
shank extending along a longitudinal axis, wherein the shank
includes a first shank end and a second shank end opposite the
first shank end; a pointed tip coupled to the first shank end, the
pointed tip including at least one facet; a stud extending from the
shank along the longitudinal axis and away from the first shank
end, the stud including a first stud end and a second stud end
opposite the first stud end, the stud including external threads
between the first and second stud ends; an annular flange coupled
to the second shank end and the first stud end; and a head coupled
to the second stud end.
2. The flow drill screw of claim 1, wherein the external threads
extend along an entire length of the stud.
3. The flow drill screw of claim 1, wherein the head defines a
socket.
4. The flow drill screw of claim 2, wherein the shank is
characterized by the absence of threads.
5. The flow drill screw of claim 1, wherein the external threads
have a helical configuration.
6. A coupling assembly, comprising: a first structure; a second
structure; a flow drill screw including: a shank including a first
shank end and a second shank end opposite the first shank end,
wherein the shank extends through the first structure; a stud
extending from the shank in a direction away from the first shank
end, wherein the stud is at least partly disposed outside the first
structure; and wherein the stud includes a coupling structure
coupled to the second structure.
7. The coupling assembly of claim 6, wherein the coupling structure
includes external threads disposed around the stud.
8. The coupling assembly of claim 6, wherein the coupling structure
includes a plurality of ribs.
9. The coupling assembly of claim 8, wherein each of the ribs has
an annular shape and is disposed around the stud.
10. The coupling assembly of claim 9, wherein the second structure
defines an opening, and the stud at least partially extends through
the opening.
11. The coupling assembly of claim 10, wherein the second structure
includes a main body and at least one wall pivotally coupled to the
main body, the at least one wall is movable relative to the
opening, and the at least one wall engages at least one of the
ribs.
12. The coupling assembly of claim 6, wherein the coupling
structure includes a slot extending through the stud.
13. The coupling assembly of claim 12, wherein the second structure
is a tie strap partially disposed through the slot.
14. The coupling assembly of claim 6, wherein the first structure
is a chassis.
15. A vehicle, comprising: a first structure; a second structure
defining a hole; a flow drill screw including: a shank defining a
first shank end and a second shank end opposite the first shank
end, wherein the shank extends through the first structure; a stud
extending from the second shank end of the shank in a direction
away from the first shank end, the stud being disposed outside the
first structure, the stud being at least partially disposed through
the hole; and wherein the stud includes a coupling structure
configured to engage the second structure.
16. The vehicle of claim 15, wherein the coupling structure
includes a plurality of external helical threads disposed around
the stud.
17. The vehicle of claim 15, wherein the coupling structure
includes a plurality of annular ribs disposed around the stud.
18. The vehicle of claim 17, wherein each of the ribs has an
annular shape and is disposed around the stud.
19. The vehicle of claim 18, wherein the second structure defines
an opening, and the stud at least partially extends through the
opening.
20. The vehicle of claim 15, wherein the coupling structure
includes a slot extending through the stud, and the second
structure is a tie strap partially disposed through the slot.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a flow drill screw.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Flow drill screws are used to couple components together. As
used herein, the term "flow drill screw" refers to a screw that is
pressed against a target material, which has not been pre-drilled,
with sufficient rotational speed and pressure to generate friction
heat in the target material. The friction heat softens the target
material, allowing the flow drill screw to form a hole through the
target material. Unlike conventional drilling, no target material
is lost while the flow drill screw forms the hole; rather, the
target material is flowed by the flow drill screw and therefore
forms a sleeve around the hole.
SUMMARY
[0003] It is useful to develop a flow drill screw capable of being
attached to a structure once the flow drill screw has already been
inserted into a target material. In an embodiment includes a shank
extending along a longitudinal axis. The shank includes a first
shank end and a second shank end opposite the first shank end. The
flow drill screw further includes a pointed tip coupled to the
first shank end. The pointed tip includes at least one facet. The
flow drill screw also includes a stud extending from the shank
along the longitudinal axis and away from the first shank end. The
stud includes a first stud end and a second stud end opposite the
first stud end. Further, the stud includes external threads between
the first and second stud ends. The flow drill screw includes an
annular flange coupled to the second shank end and the first stud
end. Moreover, the flow drill screw includes a head coupled to the
second stud end.
[0004] The present disclosure also relates to a coupling assembly.
In an embodiment, the coupling assembly includes a first structure,
a second structure, and a flow drill screw. The flow drill screw
includes a shank. The shank defines a first shank end and a second
shank end opposite the first shank end. The shank extends through
the first structure. The flow drill screw further includes a stud
extending from the shank along the longitudinal axis in a direction
away from the first shank end. The stud is entirely disposed
outside the first structure. The stud includes a coupling structure
coupled to the second structure.
[0005] The present disclosure also relates to a vehicle. The
vehicle includes a first structure and a second structure. The
second structure defines a hole. The vehicle further includes a
flow drill screw. The flow drill screw includes a shank defining a
first shank end and a second shank end opposite the first shank
end. The shank extends through the first structure. The flow drill
screw further includes a stud extending from the shank in a
direction away from the first shank end. The stud is at least
partially disposed outside the first structure. Further, the stud
is at least partially disposed through the opening. Moreover, the
stud includes a coupling structure configured to engage the second
structure in order to couple the first structure to the second
structure.
[0006] The above features and advantages and other features and
advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the
following detailed description of the best modes for carrying out
the invention when taken in connection with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a schematic, perspective view of a vehicle frame
including at least one flow drill screw;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a schematic, perspective, enlarged view of the
vehicle frame, showing portion 2 from FIG. 1, showing a flow drill
screw in accordance with an embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a schematic, perspective view of the flow drill
screw shown in FIG. 2;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a schematic, side sectional view of the flow drill
screw shown in FIG. 2 coupled to first and second structures;
[0011] FIG. 5 is a schematic, enlarged, perspective view of a
portion of the flow drill screw shown in FIG. 2, showing portion 5
from FIG. 3;
[0012] FIG. 6 is a schematic, side view of a flow drill screw in
accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0013] FIG. 7 is a schematic, perspective view of the flow drill
screw shown in FIG. 6;
[0014] FIG. 8 is a schematic, enlarged perspective view of a
portion of the flow drill screw shown in FIG. 6, showing portion 8
from FIG. 7;
[0015] FIG. 9 is a schematic, side view of a flow drill screw in
accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0016] FIG. 10 is a schematic, perspective view of the flow drill
screw shown in FIG. 9 coupled to a structure;
[0017] FIG. 11 is a schematic, side view of a flow drill screw in
accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure;
and
[0018] FIG. 12 is a schematic, perspective view of the flow drill
screw shown in FIG. 11 coupled to a tie strap.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] Referring now to the drawings, wherein the like numerals
indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, FIGS. 1
and 2 schematically illustrate part of a vehicle frame 100
including a structure 102 (e.g., chassis). Although the figures
illustrate a car frame, the vehicle frame 100 may be a frame of any
kind of vehicle such as a car, boat, or airplane. The structure 102
may be referred to as a first structure and can be coupled a second
structure 104 (FIG. 4) via at least one flow drill screw 106. The
vehicle frame 100 is part of a vehicle 98, such car.
[0020] With reference to FIGS. 2-5, the flow drill screw 106
includes an elongated shank 108 having a first shank end 110 and a
second shank end 112 opposite the first shank end 110. The
elongated shank 108 may extend along a longitudinal axis X and does
not necessarily include external threads. For example, in the
depicted embodiment, the elongated shank 108 does not include
external threads. It is envisioned, however, that the elongated
shank 108 may include external threads.
[0021] The flow drill screw 106 further includes a pointed tip 114
(e.g., self-tapping tip) for facilitating insertion of the flow
drill screw 106 into the first structure 102. The pointed tip 114
is directly coupled to the first shank end 110 and therefore
extends from the first shank end 110 of the elongated shank 108
along the longitudinal axis X. The pointed tip 114 may include at
least one facet 115. In the depicted embodiment, the pointed tip
114 includes more than one facet 115.
[0022] In addition to the pointed tip 114, the flow drill screw 106
includes a stud 116 extending from the second shank end 112 of the
elongated shank 108 along the longitudinal axis X. The stud 116 may
extend from the elongated shank 108 in a direction A away from the
first shank end 110 and the pointed tip 114. The flow drill screw
106 may include an annular flange 118 directly coupled to the
second shank end 112 and the first stud end 119. The annular flange
118 separates the elongated shank 108 and stud 116. Further, the
annular flange 118 defines an outer perimeter that is larger than
the outer perimeter of the stud 116 and the shank 108. The stud 116
also extends along the longitudinal axis X and defines a first stud
end 119 and a second stud end 121 opposite the first stud end 119.
In addition to the stud 116, the flow drill screw 106 includes a
head 120 coupled to the second stud end 121. In the depicted
embodiment, the head 120 has a convex shape and defines a socket
122 configured, shaped, and sized to receive a tool (not shown)
such as a screwdriver or a flow drilling tool. The tool can be
inserted in the socket 122, and then the flow drill screw 106 can
be turned about the longitudinal axis X in order to advance the
pointed tip 114 and the elongated shank 108 into the first
structure 102 (FIG. 1). In the depicted embodiment, the socket 122
is a hexalobular socket; however, any suitable shaped socket can be
incorporated into the head 120.
[0023] The stud 116 includes a coupling structure 124 (or coupling
feature) configured to engage the second structure 104, thereby
coupling the first structure 102 to the second structure 104 via
the flow drill screw 106. In the depicted embodiment, the coupling
structure 124 includes external threads 126 configured to
threadedly engage the second structure 104. The external threads
126 may have helical configuration and are disposed between the
first stud end 119 and the second stud end 121. For example, the
external threads 126 may extend from the first stud end 119 to the
second stud end 121. In other words, the external threads 126 may
be disposed along the entire length of the stud 116. The second
structure 104 may define a hole or opening 128, such as a threaded
hole, and include internal threads 130 that define the hole 128. As
such, the hole 128 may be referred to as a threaded hole. The
internal threads 130 of the second structure 104 can mate with the
external threads 126 of the coupling structure 124 in order to
couple the second structure 104 to the stud 116 of the flow drill
screw 106.
[0024] With reference to FIGS. 1-5, the flow drill screw 106 can be
used to couple a first structure 102 (e.g. chassis) to a second
structure 104 (FIG. 104). To do so, a force is applied to the flow
drill screw 106 in the direction indicated by the arrow F (FIGS. 2
and 4) while the flow drill screw 106 is also rotated about the
longitudinal axis X in order to insert the pointed tip 114 and the
elongated shank 108 into the first structure 102. The flow drill
screw 106 is advanced and rotated until the elongated shank 108 is
partly or entirely disposed in the first structure 102. For
example, the flow drill screw 106 can be advanced and rotated until
the annular flange 118 contacts the first structure 102.
Regardless, at this point, the stud 116 should be partly or
entirely outside the first structure 102. Next, the second
structure 104 is coupled to the coupling structure 124 of the stud
116. For example, the stud 116 can be inserted into the hole 128 so
that the internal threads 130 mate with the external threads 126 of
the stud 116, thereby coupling the flow drill screw 106 to the
second structure 104. At this point, the first structure 102 is
coupled to the second structure 104 via the flow drill screw 106.
The first structure 102, second structure 104, and flow drill screw
106 may be collectively referred to as a coupling assembly 101.
[0025] FIGS. 6-8 schematically illustrate another embodiment of the
flow drill screw 206 that is substantially similar to the flow
drill screw 106 described above with respect to FIGS. 3-5, except
that the head 220 does not include a socket. Rather, the head 220
of the flow drill screw 206 has a drive profile configured to mate
with a socket (not shown). In the depicted embodiment, the head 220
has a hexalobular shape. It is envisioned, however, that the head
220 may have other suitable shapes.
[0026] FIGS. 9 and 10 schematically illustrate another embodiment
of the flow drill screw 306 that is substantially similar to the
flow drill screw 106 described above with respect to FIGS. 3-5,
except that the coupling structure 324 of the stud 316 includes
ribs 326 instead of external threads. The ribs 326 may have
substantially annular shapes and are spaced apart from one another
along the longitudinal axis X. Further, the ribs 326 are not
necessarily helical. Thus, all the ribs 326 may be arranged
substantially parallel to one another. Regardless of their
arrangement, the ribs 326 can engage a second structure 304 in
order to couple the first structure 102 (e.g., chassis) to the
second structure 304 via the flow drill screw 306.
[0027] With continued reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, the second
structure 304 includes a main body 305 and at least one wall 332
movably coupled to the main body 305. In the depicted embodiment,
the second structure 304 includes two walls 332 pivotally coupled
to the main body 305. Although the drawings show two walls 332, the
second structure 304 may include more or fewer walls 332. A living
hinge 334 pivotally couples each wall 332 to the main body 305. The
second structure 304 defines a hole 328 and the two walls 332 can
move relative to the walls 332. The hole 328 is configured, shaped,
and sized to receive at least a portion of the stud 316. The walls
332 can be biased towards a closed position such as to
substantially close the hole 328. However, the stud 316 can be
inserted through the hole 328 to couple the flow drill screw 306 to
the second structure 304. As the stud 316 moves through the hole
328, the walls 332 move (e.g., pivot) away from the hole 328,
thereby allowing the stud 316 to extend through the hole 328. At
this point, the walls 332 contact (or otherwise engage) at least
one rib 326 in order to couple the stud 316 to the second structure
304.
[0028] FIGS. 11 and 12 schematically illustrate another embodiment
of the flow drill screw 406 that is substantially similar to the
flow drill screw 106 described above with respect to FIGS. 3-5,
except that the coupling structure 324 of the stud 316 includes a
slot 426 instead of external threads. The slot 426 extends through
the stud 316 and is configured, shaped, and sized to receive at
least a portion of a tie strap. The tie strap 438 can be used to
attach the stud 416 to another object. In the depicted embodiment,
the tie strap 438 includes a flexible strip 440 and a lock housing
442. The lock housing 442 defines a lock opening 444 configured,
shaped, and sized to receive a portion of the flexible strip 440 to
tie down the tie strap 438.
[0029] While the best modes for carrying out the invention have
been described in detail, those familiar with the art to which this
invention relates will recognize various alternative designs and
embodiments for practicing the invention within the scope of the
appended claims.
* * * * *